Thomas j



(No Model.)

T. J. WINANS.

BUTTON. No. 341.532. Patented May 11, 1886.

a. lgzwww N. PETERS. Phmo-unhn u hur. Washington. D. C

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS J. INANS, OF BINGHAMTON, NEXV YORK, ASSIGNOR TO JOSEPH P. NOYES & CO, OF SAME PLACE.

BUTTON.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 341,532; dated May 11, 1886. Application filed February 9, 1886. Serial No lohflflfi (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS J. XVINANS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Binghamton, county of Broome, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Buttons, fully described and represented in the following specification and the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the same.

This invention relates,generally,to that class of buttons which are adapted to be fastened to the garment by means of a metallic pin or shank, which passes through the fabric and enters the body of the button, as distinguished 1 from those buttons which are adapted to be attached by thread which passesthrough the fabric and an eye or eyes in or on the button. The invention relates particularly, however, to a button of this class which is specially adapted for use upon cloaks, overcoats, and other garments which require buttons of large or comparatively large size.

The buttons having these metallic fastenings possess many advantages and have gone into extensive use, particularly in the case of small or comparatively small buttons such as are used for shoes, pants, overalls, &c.and which are usually made of metal, and are consequently well adapted to receive the end of the pin or shank, or the devices which act to hold the pin or shank in the button. In the case, however, of large or comparatively large buttons, such as are commonly used for cloaks, overcoats, &c., these metallic fastenings have not heretofore been extensively used. One of the principal reasons for this has been the fact that such buttons are frequently made of materials-such as rubber, horn, celluloid, and the like-which are not well adapted to receive the end of the fastening pin or shank, or the devices which act to hold the pin or shank in the button. Another reason which has prevented these metallic fastenings from being used in connection with this class of buttons is the fact that the style or design of these buttons is constantly changing, and as a consequence buttons of any particular style or design are liable to be rendered wholly unsalable at any time by reason of a change in the fashion. This makes it necessary to manufacture these buttons in comparatively small tiou.

quantities, in order to avoid the danger of loss by reason of unsalable stock. The metallic fastenings are necessarily quite expensive, and in order to reduce the price of the but tons having these fastenings to a point at which they can be successfully sold, it is necessary to reduce the cost of production as far as possible by manufacturing in large quantities, and to then sell at a small profit, and (o undersuch conditionsa manufacturer or dealer cannot afford to run the risk of loss by producing or buying stock which is liable to be rendered unsalable at any time by a, change in the fashion.

It is the object of the present invention, among other things, to overcome these difficultics.

As a full understanding of the invention can be best given by a detailed description of a button embodying the same, all preliminary description will be omitted and a full description given, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in whicha Figure 1 is a top or plan view of a button constructed according to the present inven- Fig. 2 is an edge or side view of the same. Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on a line through the center of the button. Fig. 4 is a top or plan view of the button-body with So the fastening device removed. Fig. 5 is an ed e or side view of the head which receives the end of the fastening pin or shank. Fig. 6 is a side view of the fastening pin or shank, and Fig. 7 is a side view of the jaws which 95 hold the fastening pin or shank in the head.

Referring to said figures, it is to be understood that the button therein shown consists of a body, A, which may be termed the button proper, a fastening-head, B, which receives the end of the fastening pin or shank, and a metallic fastening pin or shank, G, the end of which enters and is secured in the head B. The body A is preferably provided upon its outer or face side with a concave or semispherical recess, 9, to receive the fasteninghead B, at the bottom of which recess is formed a central opening, 8, through which the fastening-pin 0 passes. The fastening-head B is preferably of such form as to substantially con- 10o form to the recess 9, and is provided at its under or inner side with an opening, through which the fastening-pin enters the head. This fastening-head is provided with any suitable means for retaining the end of the fasteningpin. The fastening pin or shank O, which passes through the fabric D and enters the fasteninghead, is provided with the usual head, 7, by which it is prevented from being drawn through the fabric, and its end which enters the fastening-head B is formed to coact with the fasteningdevices carried by the head, whatever they may be. As shown, in the present case the head B is provided with loose holding-jaws 6, which are of the construction and cooperate with the head, to grasp and hold the pin in the manner described and shown in United States Letters Patent No. 323,35S,and the pin 0 is provided with grooves or serrations 5,for engagement with the teeth of the jaws, the same as also shown in said- Letters Patent. The head B is made of light sheet metal, and is provided upon its interior with a yielding disk, 4, to prevent the jaws from rattling or becoming displaced before the pin is inserted. This form of fastening devices has been selected for illustration because it is regarded as the best for the purpose; but any of the other wellknown forms of pin fasteningssuch, for example, as thoseshown in Letters Patent Nos. 323,359, 312,943, 3l3,0l7,3l6,624may be used without departing from the invention.

It has been stated that the body A is preferably provided with the concave recess 9, and that the head B is preferably made to conform to or fit into this recess. This construction is preferable, because by this means what is in effect a bail-and-socketjoint is formed between the head B and the body A, which permits the body to adjust itself within certainlimits to different positions without putting extra strain upon the fastening or tending to enlarge the hole in the fabric through which the pin 0 passes. This not only makes the fastening more secure and lasting, but makes the operation of inserting the body A through the button-hole more easy. I do not limit my claim, however, to this feature, because many of the advantages of the invention may be realized when the recess 9 is omitted and the head B located upon the outside or face of the body.

The body A may, as will readily be seen, be made of any material or combination of materials, and in any form, and be provided with any ornamentation which fancy may suggest, or the style or fashion prevailing at any time requires. As shown, in the present case it is made of some such material as rubber, horn, celluloid, porcelain, or glass, and is uncovered. It may, however, be covered with any suitable fabric, if desired; or it may consist of a rigid metal back and a cloth covering. In

such case the fastening-head B may of course be placed in position before the covering is applied, and be concealed thereby.

The construction herein described permits the body A, or what is the button proper, to be made of a great variety of materials which are not adapted to carry the devices which coact with the pin 0 to form the fastening device, and thus renders the pin-fastening available for many kinds of buttons upon which it could not heretofore be used.

By making the fastening device entirely independent of the body the same fastening can be used with bodies which vary greatly in size, form, and material, thereby permitting the fastening devices to be produced in large quantities, so as to secure the greatest economy in the manufacture, while the bodies are produced in smaller quantities and of various styles and materials to meet the demands existing at any particular time.

What I claim isl. A button composed of a body having an opening for the passage of the fastening pin or shank, a head made independent of the but ton-body and containing the devices for engaging with the fastening-pin, anda fastening pin or shank adapted to enter and be fastened in the head, substantially as described.

2. A button composed of a body having an opening for the passage of the fastening pin or shank, and a concave recess for the reception of the fastening-head, a fastening-head made independent of the button-body and containing the devices for engaging with the fast ening-pin, and a fastening pin or shank adapted to enter and be fastened in the head, substantially as described.

3. A button composed of a body having an opening for the passage of the fastening pin or shank, a fastening-head made independent of the button-body and containing jaws for engaging with the fastening-pin, and a fastening pin or shank adapted to enter and be engaged and held by said jaws, substantially as described.

4. A button composed of a body having an opening for the passage of the fastening pin or shank, a fastening-head made independent of the button-body, and seated in a concave recess in the body, and containing jaws for en gaging with the fastening-pin, and a fastening pin or shank adapted to enter the head and be engaged and held by said jaws, substan' tially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

I THOMAS J. \VINANS.

Vitnesses:

NERI PINE, NEWTON 0. SMITH. 

